Detailed Program
During the journey to Paro, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Our representative will receive you and transfer you to the hotel. Relax and have lunch at the hotel.
After the refreshment visit National Museum the former watchtower, built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong, it was originally used to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during the times of war. Its unusual circular construction resembles a conch shell and it now contains a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artifacts-costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles, and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. Later visit Paro Dzong the full name of which is Paro Rinpung Dzong, which means ‘the fortress of the heap of jewels. Besides being the administrative seat of the district of Paro it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 members. It is approached through a beautiful wooden bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by two guardhouses.
After lunch, drive to Thimphu (the capital of Bhutan). It takes 1 and Half hour drive through the winding road along the Paro Valley. Check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at Thimphu.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
You will begin your day with a visit to the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and the world’s largest published book, BHUTAN measuring 5 feet and weighing nearly 150 pounds; the School of Arts and Crafts (National Institute of Zorig Chusum) where students undergo a training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts; the National Institute of Traditional Medicine where Bhutan’s famed traditional medicines are compounded and dispensed; the Folk Heritage Museum which will provide an insight into traditional Bhutanese life.
Later visit the Tashichhodzong, the main secretariat building. This massive fortress houses the office of the King and the Throne Room and part of the government Ministries. It also houses the State Monastic Body, the office, and the living quarters of Chief Abbot. Overnight at Thimphu.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
Morning drive to Punakha via Dochula pass at an altitude of 10,000ft/3,080m. This pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the Eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan’s highest mountain, Gangkar Puensum, 24,770ft/7,550m. Also, visit Botanical Park which is 10 mins drive from the pass. One can see different species of rhododendron and magnolia.
On arrival at Lobesa, you will take a short hike to Chime Lhakhang (the fertility temple) built in 1499. It is a half-hour leisurely walk across a local village, and rice fields from the road at Sopsokha to the temple. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana. Visit the impressive Punakha Dzong also known as the Palace of Happiness, which is considered to be the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan.
Overnight at Punakha.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
After breakfast, you can enjoy a full day of rafting in Punakha Valley on either of the Mo Chu or Pho Rivers.
Pho Chhu: The rafting would start from Punakha Dzong and end at Punakha Higher Secondary School which is located at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. Program as convenient in the evening.
Overnight at Punakha.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
Morning hike up to Nyinzergang Temple and then you will start enjoying the rafting and then floating down the scenic Mo Chhu past the Punakha Dzong and end at Junction of Punakha High school.
The Upper Mo Chhu (OPTIONAL)
This is one of the most extreme sections of water rafted in Bhutan. This run takes you through some interesting swifts. While rafting one can also get to see a family of otters. In the afternoon, one can also hike towards Khamsum Yulley Namgyal at Nyinzergang, which is an invigorating temple and offers a fantastic view of Punakha valley. Program as convenient in the evening.
Overnight at Punakha.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
After an early breakfast drive towards Phobjikha and en route visit Wangduephodrang Dzong which was built in 1638 and situated at the confluence of two rivers on the right-hand side and Puna Tshang Chu on the left-hand side.
Later drive towards Gangtey Goempa in Phobjikha which is 2 and Half hours drive from Wangduephodrang. On the way, one passes through dense forest and one might get a chance to see wild animals loitering around on a lucky day.
Overnight at Gangtey.
Places and attractions:
- Dargay Goemba
- Gangtey Gompa
- Temple Of Sha Radap
- Gaselo & Nahee Village
- Adha And Rukha Village
- Shaa Region Of Wangdiphodrang
- Bhey Langdrag Nye
Accommodation options:
After an early breakfast drive towards the Black Necked Crane Information Centre. On reaching take a short walk through the valleys towards Gangtey Goempa which was built in the 12th century and is the only Nyingmapa monastery built in Western Bhutan. Program as convenient in the evening.
Overnight at Gangtey.
Places and attractions:
- Dargay Goemba
- Gangtey Gompa
- Temple Of Sha Radap
- Gaselo & Nahee Village
- Adha And Rukha Village
- Shaa Region Of Wangdiphodrang
- Bhey Langdrag Nye
Accommodation options:
In the morning drive towards Thimphu and visit Thimphu Memorial Chorten which was built in memory of our Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck by the Queen Mother.
OR
If not take a short walk down the Thimphu town.
Overnight at Thimphu.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
After an early breakfast drive towards Paro and hike towards Paro Taktshang. Reaching Paro Taktshang involves a 3-hour trek from the road ahead. For a moment you may think that you cannot make it to the top but something draws you and you start your climb. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”. This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 2,000 feet above the valley floor.
It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew to a cave on this cliff riding a tigress. The tiger was his favorite consort, Yeshey Tsogyel, whom he transformed into a tiger for his journey. They meditated in the cave and later Paro Taktshang was built in that cave. On the way back to the hotel one can’t help but wonder as to how the man could have ever made this impossible structure.
Overnight at Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Morning drive to the International Airport for your onward destination.
- Inclusion
- Exclusion
- Insurance
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
- 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium update).
- Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
- Route Permit
- Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
- A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
- All land transportation by private vehicle
- Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Monuments entrance fees where applicable
- Drinking water
- All internal taxes and charges
- A sustainable development fee of $200. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
- Airfare & Travel Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
- Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
